Now this is hilarious!
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is taking heat from fellow Democrats after appearing publicly with President Donald Trump during a major White House signing ceremony. The optics of the event have sparked fierce backlash, with some in her own party accusing her of being used as a political pawn.
⚠️ Top Story: Bipartisan cooperation or political misstep?
Keep reading for the full story.
Democrat Operatives Furious Over “Photo Op”
One Democrat strategist, speaking anonymously to NBC News, slammed the moment as “just a disaster,” expressing frustration that Whitmer may have tarnished her image as a swing-state leader with national potential.
A Surprise Appearance With Major Implications
Whitmer had reportedly traveled to Washington for what was expected to be a private meeting. But instead, cameras caught her standing to the side of the Resolute Desk as President Trump signed executive orders targeting disloyal federal employees—moves widely praised by conservatives but not supported by Whitmer herself.
Her silent presence, however, painted a different picture. Photos of her standing nearby were enough to ignite fury on the Left.
📸 Image circulating online shows Whitmer beside President Trump during signing—critics call it “damaging optics.”
Left-Wing Media Reacts: “Used as a Prop”
CNN’s Edward-Isaac Dovere called the event “a huge embarrassment.” Fellow CNN host Audie Cornish said flatly, “This does not look like the politics of resistance.”
Some liberal media outlets even alleged that Trump “set her up,” using her for bipartisan cover in a calculated move ahead of election season.
But others see it differently.
Trump Praises Whitmer’s Leadership—Sparks Bipartisan Chatter
During the signing, Trump called Whitmer a “very good person” who has done “an excellent job” for Michigan—comments that stunned many Democrats.
The two leaders have been working together to keep Selfridge Air Force Base open and fully funded, and they’ve also teamed up to tackle an invasive species problem threatening the Great Lakes ecosystem.
“Bipartisan issues,” Trump said with a smile. “We’ll stand there together and cut a ribbon. Okay, Gretchen?”
📰 RELATED: President Trump’s approval surging among Midwest voters — see poll data.
Whitmer’s Office Rushes Into Damage Control
Following the backlash, Whitmer’s staff issued a statement distancing her from the event. They claimed she was brought into the room “without any notice” and that her presence was “not an endorsement” of Trump’s actions or remarks.
Still, the damage had already been done.
Whitmer Agrees With Trump on American Manufacturing
In a twist that further shocked progressives, Whitmer delivered remarks earlier that day that echoed Trump’s core economic message.
“I understand the motivation behind the tariffs,” she said. “Here’s where President Trump and I agree: we need to make more stuff in America.”
She emphasized the need to strengthen domestic production in steel, autos, and semiconductors, aligning more with Trump’s America First approach than with globalist economic policies embraced by many in her party.
She did caution against overuse of tariffs but stopped short of attacking Trump’s economic agenda—drawing a sharp contrast with Democrat governors like Josh Shapiro and Jared Polis, who have criticized the Trump tariffs outright.
Is Whitmer Breaking From the Far Left?
Whitmer’s actions are raising new questions about her political instincts as 2028 speculation ramps up. Is she positioning herself as a centrist Democrat willing to work with Trump? Or did she simply miscalculate the optics?
One thing is clear: While liberal elites are in an uproar, many voters—especially in the Midwest—might see her cooperation with Trump as common sense leadership in divisive times.
💬 What do YOU think? Is Whitmer showing courage or compromising her values? Let us know in the comments below.